Putin calls Crimea "an inalienable part of Russia" as he signs annexation pact

Ukraine authorizes use of force after bloodshed in Crimea

(CNN) -- Cheers in Moscow. Outrage in Kiev. Bloodshed in Simferopol.

Tuesday saw Russian President Vladimir Putin announce the annexation of Crimea, two days after voters in that semiautonomous territory approved a hastily called referendum on separating from Ukraine.

Putin told a joint session of Russia's Parliament that the nearly 97% of Crimean residents who voted to join Russia over the weekend was "an extremely convincing figure."

"In our hearts, we know Crimea has always been an inalienable part of Russia," he said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called it "a robbery on an international scale," one that Kiev will never accept.

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"One country has come and temporarily stolen part of of the territory of an independent country," he said. "It will be difficult to find a quick resolution to this problem, but Russia is now isolated by the whole international community."

And after a member of its military was killed, another wounded and more captured when masked gunmen seized their base near the Crimean regional capital, Simferopol, Ukraine's defense ministry authorized its forces to open fire.

Yatsenyuk warned that the crisis was shifting "from political to the military form, and the blame is on the Russian military."

Crimea, which has an ethnic Russian majority, has long been a semiautonomous region within Ukraine. It has had its own Parliament, but the Ukrainian government had veto power over its actions.

After the revolt that forced pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych from office in February, Russian troops poured into the Crimean Peninsula, effectively cutting it off in support of a pro-Russian government that took power in Simferopol.

Putin said Tuesday that Russia had to act as Ukraine's new government, backed by the United States and European powers, prepared "to seize the state through terror and murders."

"The main executors of this were nationalists, Russia-phobes and anti-Semites," he said. "Those people define what is happening today in Ukraine."

But international observers have said Moscow saw its chance to annex a strategic territory, one that was transferred to Ukraine in the Soviet era and which still hosts the home port of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

Ukraine's interim President, Oleksandr Turchynov, told reporters that Putin is "mimicking the fascists of the last century" by annexing Crimea.

EASTERN UKRAINE: "Ukrainian Police checkpoint north of Donetsk. A rare sight these days in Eastern Ukraine." - CNN's Christian Streib, April 15. Follow Christian on Instagram at instagram.com/christianstreibcnn.

NEAR KIEV, UKRAINE: "Fresh recruits to Ukraine's National Guard Reserves (March 20). All of them are former anti-government militiamen from Kyiv's Maydan. They've all signed up within the last week as part of a mass recruitment program announced by the interim Ukrainian government." - CNN's Ivan Watson. WATCH THE INSTAGRAM VIDEO from Ivan of a curious "hand grenade" simulation exercise performed by new Ukrainian National Guard reserve recruits. Follow Ivan on Instagram at instagram.com/ivancnn.

SIMFEROPOL, CRIMEA: "Early morning departure (March 19) at Simferopol airport where the Russian flag is already firmly in place on the tarmac." - CNN's Dominique Van Heerden. Follow Dominique on Instagram at instagram.com/dominique_vh.

KIEV, UKRAINE: "The mood was grim in Kyiv's Maydan (March 16), as a mustachioed Ukrainian Cossack beat a kettle drum during the separatist referendum in Crimea." - CNN's Ivan Watson. WATCH THE INSTAGRAM VIDEO Follow Ivan on Instagram at instagram.com/ivancnn.

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE: "Voting has started in Crimea (March 16). Steady stream of voters at this polling station in the center of Simferopol." - CNN's Dominique Van Heerden. Follow Dominique on Instagram at instagram.com/dominique_vh.

DONETSK, UKRAINE: Demonstrators wave revolutionary flags at a major pro-Russia rally in Lenin Square in central Donetsk (March 15). Some are calling for independence from Ukraine. Others are calling for union with Russia. Photo by CNN's Kellie Morgan.

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE: "Pro-Soviet flags being made and handed out in Simferopol on March 14." - CNN's Michael Holmes. Follow Michael on Instagram at instagram.com/holmescnn.

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE: "You really don't have to wander very far in Simferopol (March 14) to find posters like this one around parliament and Lenin Square." - CNN's Dominique Van Heerden. Follow Dominique on Instagram at instagram.com/dominique_vh

KIEV, UKRAINE: "Protesters outside parliament in Kiev on March 12 call for the release of 34 political prisoners arrested during demonstrations." - CNN's Dominique Van Heereden. Follow Dominique on Instagram at instagram.com/dominique_vh

DONETSK, UKRAINE: "Dominating the main square named after him: Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, also known as Lenin" - CNN's Christian Streib. Follow Christian on Instagram at instagram.com/christianstreibcnn.

KIEV, UKRAINE: CNN cameraman Scott McWhinnie films volunteers peeling vegetables, preparing meals for protesters still living in tents in Maidan, also known as Independence Square, on March 9. Photo by CNN's Michael Holmes. Follow Michael on Instagram at instagram.com/holmescnn.

SEVASTOPOL, UKRAINE: "CNN's Matthew Chance and team talk to the first officer of the Ukrainian Intelligence Navy ship Slavutych inside the Port of Sevastopol on March 10." - CNN's Christian Streib. Follow Christian on Instagram at instagram.com/christianstreibcnn.

KIEV, UKRAINE: People stream through Independence Square, laying flowers, and lighting candles. like the ones pictured here on March 9. Photo by CNN's Dominique Van Heerden. Follow Dominique on Instagram at instagram.com/dominique_vh

KIEV, UKRAINE: An aerial photo of Independence Square, or Maidan, in Kiev on March 8. Many remain camped out in Independence Square, while others stream through the area to pay tribute to those who were killed. Photo by CNN's Tony Umrani.

KIEV, UKRAINE: A giant EU flag is hung outside the foreign ministry building in Kiev on March 7. Photo by CNN's Dominique Van Heerden. Follow Dominique on Instagram at instagram.com/dominique_vh.

SOUTHERN UKRAINE: Gunmen block monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) who are trying unsuccessfully to negotiate their way into Crimea past pro-Russian border patrols on March 7. Photo by CNN's Christian Streib. Follow Christian on Instagram at instagram.com/christianstreibcnn

KIEV, UKRAINE: Portraits of people killed during clashes with riot police are left with candles and flowers at Kiev's Independence Square on March 6. Photo by CNN's Michael Holmes. Follow Michael on Instagram at instagram.com/holmescnn.

KIEV, UKRAINE: "Cutting wood to keep volunteers warm as they continue to guard Independence Square in Kiev." - CNN's Khalil Abdallah on March 5. Follow Khalil on Instagram at instagram.com/madcameraman.

WASHINGTON, DC: Ukrainian demonstrators rally on March 5 outside the White House against the Russian incursion into Crimea. Photo by CNN's Burke Buckhorn. Follow Burke on Instagram at instagram.com/bbuckhorncnn

SEVASTOPOL, UKRAINE: "A massive statue on a hill overlooking Sevastopol, dedicated to the unity of the Soviety army and navy during World War II. After a brutal 250-day siege by German forces, Sevastopol fell in 1942. The past weighs heavily here, with an intense awareness of history, of identity, of place." - CNN's Ben Wedeman. Follow Ben on Instagram at instagram.com/bcwedeman.

KIEV, UKRAINE: The Shrine of the Fallen on Institutska Street honors the "Heroes" killed in clashes with police. Photo on March 4 by CNN's Dominique Van Heerden. Follow Dominique on Instagram at instagram.com/dominique_vh.

KIEV, UKRAINE: CNN Cameraman Christian Streib sets up for live shots by the barricades on the road to Independence Square on March 4. Photo by CNN's Jon Steward.

KIEV, UKRAINE: "27-year old Bogdan sits on top of his Russian-made soup kitchen in Indepence -- or Maidan -- Square on March 2. He's been sitting there for the last three months serving delicious Ukrainian grechaniy soup. It's made of buckwheat, lentil, coriander and beef. Amazing taste." - CNN's Christian Streib. Follow Christian on Instagram at instagram.com/christianstreibcnn.

KIEV, UKAINE: "Perhaps the best solution to end the crisis in Ukraine." - CNN's Christian Streib on March 2. Follow Ben on Instagram at instagram.com/bcwedeman.

KIEV, UKRAINE: "APC in central Kiev (March 1). It appeared the morning after Russian forces moved into the Crimea." -- CNN's Ian Lee. Follow Ian on Instagram at instagram.com/ianjameslee.

KIEV, UKRAINE: A young girl pays tribute to anti-government protesters killed in the clashes with riot police by placing a flower on a makeshift memorial leading to the barricades in central Kiev on February 24. Photo by CNN's Todd Baxter.

KIEV, UKRAINE: Bullet holes in a power pole at a spot where a protester was killed during clashes with riot police, near Independence Square. Photo by CNN's Todd Baxter on February 23.

KIEV, UKRAINE: Ukrainians are reflected in a puddle as they gather to mourn the dead in Maidan Square on February 23, after protesters succeeded in forcing President Viktor Yanukovich out of office. Photo by CNN's Christian Streib. Follow Christian on Instagram at instagram.com/christianstreibcnn.

KIEV, UKRAINE: "Anti-government demonstrator in makeshift riot gear (February 22), a member of several protection units set up by the organizers of the occupation of Maidan Square." - CNN's Christian Streib. Follow Christian on Instagram at instagram.com/christianstreibcnn.

KIEV, UKRAINE: Defected policemen and anti-government protesters at barricades together in central Kiev on February 21. Photo by CNN's Fred Pleitgen. Follow Fred on Instagram at instagram.com/fpleitgencnn.

KIEV, UKRAINE: After the deaths of 25 people during clashes a day earlier, Ukrainian protesters prepare to stand and fight again on February 19. Photo taken by CNN's Andrew Carey on February 19.

KIEV, UKRAINE: "This 17 year old protestor was taken by police as he was watching the clashes (January 23) while taking iPhone photos. He was stripped naked, beaten, stabbed in the thigh and his arm was broken. He faces eight to fifteen years in jail for taking part in a mass demonstration. The government has labeled those taking part in the violence as 'terrorists'." - CNN's Diana Magnay.

KIEV, UKRAINE: Pro-Europe protesters pour into Independence square on December 14. Opposition supporters have been camping since Nov. 21 in Independence Square - in protest against President Yanukovich's last minute refusal to sign an agreement bringing Ukraine closer to the European Union, in favor of Russia. Photo by CNN's Diana Magnay.

KIEV, UKRAINE: Ukrainian riot police storm barricades set up by pro-European Union protesters in Independence Square on December 11. Ukrainian security forces stormed the square, which protesters have occupied for three weeks. The demonstrators defiantly refused to leave and resisted the police in a tense standoff. Photo by CNN's Diana Magnay.

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Ukraine Crisis captured by CNN Teams

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine Crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine Crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine Crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Crisis in Ukraine, captured by CNN Teams on assignment.

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Ukraine crisis captured by CNN Teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine, captured by CNN teams

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Photos: Crisis in Crimea and Ukraine

The gruesome weapons of Kiev's protests

Germany: We could live without Russian gas

European sanctions labeled 'toothless'

"The political leadership of Russia will have to answer before the whole world for crimes they are committing today in our country," Turchynov said.

Cameron: Annexation sends 'a chilling message'

Putin declared Tuesday that "We have not used our armed forces in Crimea," despite what has been stated by international observers and the government of Kiev. He said the 22,000 Russian troops in Crimea did not enter during the current crisis, but "were already there," in accordance with previous international negotiations.

Russian forces were allowed in Crimea under a treaty that allowed the Black Sea Fleet to be based there, but the movements of its forces within Crimea are supposed to be agreed upon with Kiev.

Putin praised those forces for avoiding bloodshed, but the tensions appear to have boiled over into violence Tuesday.

Masked gunmen killed a member of Ukraine's military, wounded another and arrested the remaining staff of Ukraine's military topographic and navigation directorate at Simferopol, Defense Ministry spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov told CNN.

After that, the Defense Ministry authorized its forces in Crimea to use weapons "to protect and preserve the life of Ukrainian soldiers," according to a statement posted on its website.

Petro Poroshenko, a Ukrainian member of Parliament and former foreign minister, said Tuesday that his country stands at "the beginning of a very dangerous conflict, and we should do our best to stop this process."

"Several weeks ago, we had a guarantee that nothing [would] happen with the Crimea. Several weeks ago we had [a situation] that there is not any military presence on Ukrainian territory, including the Crimea," he told CNN's "Amanpour " program. Now, he said, "I strongly believe that this is not only Ukrainian territory is now threatened."

"Now under attack can be any country in the European Union, including other parts of Ukraine," said Poroshenko, a billionaire and leading potential candidate for president. "That's why we should think that it can never happen again."

U.S. and EU officials imposed sanctions on more than two dozen Russian and Crimean officials Monday and have urged Russia to avoid escalating the crisis, but Moscow has ignored those calls.

Tuesday's annexation brought a new round of condemnation from the West, with British Prime Minister David Cameron saying it sends "a chilling message across the continent of Europe."

"It is completely unacceptable for Russia to use force to change borders, on the basis of a sham referendum held at the barrel of a Russian gun," Cameron said in a statement issued by Downing Street. "President Putin should be in no doubt that Russia will face more serious consequences, and I will push European leaders to agree further EU measures when we meet on Thursday."

NATO head expresses concern over Ukraine

Ukrainian tanks are transported from their base in Perevalne, Crimea, on Wednesday, March 26. After Russian troops seized most of Ukraine's bases in Crimea, interim Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov ordered the withdrawal of armed forces from the peninsula, citing Russian threats to the lives of military staff and their families.

Ukrainian marines wave as they leave a base in Feodosia, Crimea, on Tuesday, March 25.

Russian sailors stand on the deck of the corvette ship Suzdalets in the bay of Sevastopol, Crimea, on March 25.

Pro-Russian militia members remove a local resident as Russian troops assault the Belbek air base, outside Sevastopol, on Saturday, March 22. Following its annexation of Crimea, Russian forces have consolidated their control of the region.

Soldiers in unmarked uniforms sit atop an armored personnel carrier at the gate of the Belbek air base on March 22.

A Russian sailor holds the Russian Navy's St. Andrew's flag while standing on the bow of the surrendered Ukrainian submarine Zaporozhye on March 22 in Sevastopol.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signs the final decree completing the annexation of Crimea on Friday, March 21, as Upper House Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, left, and State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin watch.

A Ukrainian serviceman leaves a Ukrainian military unit that Russian soldiers took control of in Perevalne on March 21.

Ukrainian border guards run during training at a military camp in Alekseyevka, Ukraine, on March 21.

Russian soldiers patrol the area surrounding a Ukrainian military unit in Perevalne on Thursday, March 20.

Pro-Russian protesters remove the gate to the Ukrainian navy headquarters as Russian troops stand guard in Sevastopol on Wednesday, March 19.

Pro-Russian forces walk inside the Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol on March 19.

A member of pro-Russian forces takes down a Ukrainian flag at the Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol on March 19.

Alexander Vitko, chief of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, leaves the Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol after pro-Russian forces took it over on March 19.

A Russian flag waves as workers install a new sign on a parliament building in Simferopol, Crimea's capital, on March 19.

Russian military personnel surround a Ukrainian military base in Perevalne on March 19.

Nameplates on the front of the Crimean parliament building get removed Tuesday, March 18, in Simferopol.

From left, Crimean Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov; Vladimir Konstantinov, speaker of the Crimean parliament; Russian President Vladimir Putin; and Alexei Chaly, the new de facto mayor of Sevastopol, join hands in Moscow on March 18 after signing a treaty to make Crimea part of Russia.

Demonstrators hold a Crimean flag at Lenin Square in Simferopol on March 18.

Ukrainian soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint near Strilkove, Ukraine, close to Crimea on Monday, March 17.

Former boxer and Ukrainian politician Vitali Klitschko addresses reporters in Kiev, Ukraine, on March 17.

Ukrainian troops stand guard in front of the Ukrainian Parliament building in Kiev on March 17.

A Ukrainian man applies for the National Guard at a mobile recruitment center in Kiev on March 17.

Civilians walk past riot police in Simferopol on March 17.

A Ukrainian soldier stands on top of an armored vehicle at a military camp near the village of Michurino, Ukraine, on March 17.

Policemen stand guard outside the regional state administration building in Donetsk, Ukraine, during a rally by pro-Russia activists March 17.

Armed soldiers stand guard outside a Ukrainian military base in Perevalne on March 17.

A man holds a Crimean flag as he stands in front of the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol on March 17.

Crimeans holding Russian flags celebrate in front of the parliament building in Simferopol on Sunday, March 16.

A Ukrainian police officer tries to shield himself from a road block thrown by pro-Russia supporters in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 16.

Pro-Russia demonstrators storm the prosecutor general's office during a rally in Donetsk on March 16.

A child casts her mother's ballot March 16 while holding a Russian flag at a polling station in Simferopol.

A pro-Russian soldier, with the Russian flag behind him, mans a machine gun outside an Ukrainian military base in Perevalne on Saturday, March 15.

A pro-Russian soldier guards the perimeter outside an Ukrainian military base in Perevalne on March 15.

Russian flags wave in front of a monument dedicated to Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin during a pro-Russia rally in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 15.

Evgenyi Batyukhov cries March 14 at the site where pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian activists clashed the night before in Donetsk, Ukraine.

A line of policemen stand in front of a bus of pro-Ukrainian activists as pro-Russian supporters confront them during a rally in Donetsk on Thursday, March 13.

Pro-Russian supporters clash with pro-Ukrainian activists in Donetsk on March 13.

Recent Academy Award winner Jared Leto walks through Independence Square in Kiev on March 13. During his Oscars acceptance speech in early March, the actor spoke to protesters in Ukraine and Venezuela saying, "We're thinking of you tonight."

A member of a pro-Russian self-defense unit checks a polling station near Simferopol on March 13.

A Ukrainian soldier looks out of the window of a regional military building with a poster reading "Ukraine's armed forces wait for you!" in Donetsk on March 13.

An armed Cossack stands guard at a checkpoint on the road from Simferopol to Sevastopol on March 13.

A pro-Russian soldier speaks to a truck driver outside the Ukrainian infantry base in Perevalne on Wednesday, March 12.

Cossacks stand guard at Crimea's regional parliament building in Simferopol on March 12.

Soldiers are seen aboard the Ukrainian ship Slavutych in the harbor of Sevastopol on Tuesday, March 11.

Ukrainian naval officers board a boat in front of the Russian minesweeper Turbinist in Sevastopol's harbor on March 11.

People shout slogans during a pro-Russia rally in Donetsk on Sunday, March 9.

Ukrainian police detain a demonstrator during a pro-Russian rally in Donetsk on March 9.

Pro-Russia protesters remove a Ukrainian flag from a flagpole taken from a government building in Donetsk on March 9.

Cossacks and other pro-Russian forces stand guard outside a government building in Simferopol on Saturday, March 8.

Ukrainian soldiers load armored personnel carriers into boxcars in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on March 8.

Armed men believed to be Russian military march in a village outside Simferopol on Friday, March 7.

Pro-Russia protesters demonstrate outside the Belbek air base, near Sevastopol, on Thursday, March 6.

A Ukrainian navy officer looks at the scuttled, decommissioned Russian vessel Ochakov from the Black Sea shore outside the town of Myrnyi, Ukraine, on March 6. Russian naval personnel scuttled the ship, blockading access for five Ukrainian naval vessels.

A member of the Russian military patrols around Perevalne on March 6.

Servicemen guard a checkpoint at a Ukrainian navy base in Perevalne on March 6.

Ukrainian troops guard the Belbek air base on March 6.

A woman walks past barricades March 6 that were set up by anti-government protesters in Kiev's Independence Square.

A sailor guards the Ukrainian Navy ship Slavutych in the Bay of Sevastopol on Wednesday, March 5.

People wait in line for food distribution in Independence Square on March 5.

Ukrainian sailors carry meat to their vessel in the Sevastopol harbor on March 5.

Riot police stand at the entrance of a regional administrative building during a rally in Donetsk on March 5.

A Ukrainian police officer gives instructions to members of the media in front of the business class lounge of the Simferopol airport on March 5.

Pro-Russia demonstrators wave a Russian flag after storming a regional administrative building in Donetsk on March 5.

Demonstrators break a police barrier as they storm a regional administrative building in Donetsk on March 5.

Ukrainian military recruits line up to receive instructions in Kiev's Independence Square on Tuesday, March 4.

People stand on the Ukrainian Navy ship Slavutych while it's at harbor in Sevastopol on March 4. Mattresses were placed over the side of the ship to hinder any attempted assault.

Ukrainian troops watch as a Russian navy ship blocks the entrance of the Ukrainian navy base in Sevastopol on March 4.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, wearing a blue scarf, visits a shrine March 4 for the people who were killed in February during anti-government protests in Kiev.

Yuli Mamchun, the commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek air base near Sevastopol, salutes on March 4.

Russian soldiers stand guard at the Belbek air base on March 4.

Ukrainian military members march at the Belbek air base on March 4.

Russian soldiers fire warning shots to keep back Ukrainian military members at the Belbek air base on March 4.

A Ukrainian airman puts the Ukrainian national flag over the gate of the Belbek air base as they guard what's left under their control on March 4.

Russian soldiers aim a grenade launcher and machine gun as they guard positions at the Belbek air base on March 4.

Ukrainian seamen stand guard on the Ukrainian navy ship Slavutych in the Sevastopol harbor on Monday, March 3.

Oleg, a Ukrainian soldier, kisses his girlfriend, Svetlana, through the gates of the Belbek base entrance on March 3. Tensions are high at the base, where Ukrainian soldiers were standing guard inside the building while alleged Russian gunmen were standing guard outside the gates.

Wives of Ukrainian soldiers walk past Russian soldiers to visit their husbands guarding a military base in Perevalne on March 3.

A Russian soldier guards an area outside Ukraine's military base in the village of Perevalne on March 3.

A sailor looks out a window near the entrance to the Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol on March 3.

Armed men in military uniform walk outside a Ukrainian military unit near Simferopol on Sunday, March 2. Hundreds of armed men in trucks and armored vehicles surrounded the Ukrainian base Sunday in Crimea, blocking its soldiers from leaving.

Soldiers walk outside a Ukrainian military base in Perevalne as a local resident waves a Russian flag March 2.

Demonstrators shout during a rally in Kiev's Independence Square on March 2.

Ukrainian soldiers, left, and unidentified gunmen, right, stand at the gate of an infantry base in Perevalne on March 2.

Ukrainian soldiers guard a gate of an infantry base in Perevalne on March 2.

A woman cries during a rally in Independence Square on March 2.

Protesters hold flags of the United States, Germany and Italy during a rally in Independence Square on March 2.

People attend a morning prayer service at Independence Square on March 2.

A soldier and a truck driver unload bread outside the Ukranian navy headquarters in Sevastopol on March 2.

Heavily armed troops, displaying no identifying insignia and who were mingling with local pro-Russian militants, stand guard outside a local government building in Simferopol on March 2.

A woman waits in front of unidentified men in military fatigues who were blocking a base of the Ukrainian frontier guard unit in Balaklava, Ukraine, on Saturday, March 1.

U.S. President Barack Obama, in the Oval Office of the White House, talks on the phone March 1 with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

People gather around the coffin of a man who was killed during clashes with riot police in Independence Square.

Pro-Russian activists hold Russian flags during a rally in the center of Donetsk on March 1.

Pro-Russian activists clash with Maidan supporters as they storm the regional government building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 1.

A protester stands at a memorial March 1 for the people killed in clashes at Independence Square.

Armed men patrol outside the Simferopol International Airport on Friday, February 28.

An image provided to CNN by a local resident shows Russian tanks on the move in Sevastopol.

Russian troops block a road February 28 toward the military airport in Sevastopol. The Russian Black Sea Fleet is based at the port city.

Armed men stand guard in front of a building near the Simferopol airport on February 28.

An armed man wearing no identifying insignia patrols outside Simferopol International Airport on February 28.

Police stand guard outside the Crimea regional parliament building Thursday, February 27, in Simferopol. Armed men seized the regional government administration building and parliament in Crimea.

Police intervene as Russian supporters gather in front of the parliament building in Simferopol on February 27.

A man adds fuel to a fire at a barricade in Independence Square on February 27. Dozens of people were killed during clashes between security forces and protesters.

Pro-Russia demonstrators wave Russian and Crimean flags in front of a local government building in Simferopol on February 27.

Barricades in front of a government building in Simferopol on February 27 hold a banner that reads: "Crimea Russia." There's a broad divide between those who support the pro-Western developments in Kiev and those who back Russia's continued influence in Crimea and across Ukraine.

Protesters stand in front of a government building in Simferopol on February 27. Tensions have simmered in the Crimea region since the ouster of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Protesters in support of the president's ouster rally in Independence Square, which has been the center of opposition, on Wednesday, February 26.

Security forces stand guard during clashes between opposing sides in front of Crimea's parliament building in Simferopol on February 26.

Pro-Russian demonstrators, right, clash with anti-Russian protesters in front of a government building in Simferopol on February 26.

A police officer gets pulled into a crowd of Crimean Tatars in Simferopol on February 26. The Tatars, an ethnic minority group deported during the Stalin era, rallied in support of Ukraine's interim government.

A man places flowers at a barricade near Independence Square on February 26.

On February 26 in Kiev, a woman holds a photograph of a protester killed during the height of tensions.

Police guard a government building in Donetsk on February 26.

Protesters remove a fence that surrounds Ukraine's parliament in Kiev on February 26.

People sing the Ukrainian national anthem at Independence Square on Monday, February 24.

Gas masks used by protesters sit next to a barricade in Independence Square on February 24.

A woman cries February 24 near a memorial for the people killed in Kiev.

People wave a large Ukrainian flag in Independence Square on Sunday, February 23.

Two pro-government supporters are made to pray February 23 in front of a shrine to dead anti-government protesters.

A man and his daughter lay flowers at a memorial for protesters killed in Independence Square.

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko speaks at Independence Square on Saturday, February 22, hours after being released from prison. Tymoshenko, considered a hero of a 2004 revolution against Yanukovych, was released after 2½ years behind bars.

Tymoshenko is greeted by supporters shortly after being freed from prison in Kharkiv on February 22.

A protester guards the entrance to Yanukovych's abandoned residence outside Kiev on February 22.

Anti-government protesters guard the streets next to the presidential offices in Kiev on February 22.

Anti-government protesters drive a military vehicle in Independence Square on February 22. Many protesters said they wouldn't leave the square until Yanukovych resigned.

Ukrainian lawmakers argue during a session of Parliament on Friday, February 21.

Men in Kiev carry a casket containing the body of a protester killed in clashes with police.

Protesters cheer after news of an agreement between the opposing sides in Kiev on February 21.

The G7 group of industrialized nations had already suspended preparations for a planned G8 summit in the Russian city of Sochi. Now, U.S. President Barack Obama has invited his counterparts from the other G7 countries and the European Union to a meeting of next week on the margins of a nuclear security summit in The Hague, U.S. National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said.

The planned meeting comes amid speculation that Russia will get kicked out of the G8 -- which comprises the G7 countries plus Russia -- because of its actions in Crimea.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry criticized "this rise of a kind of nationalism that is exercised unilaterally, to the exclusion of the international legal process."

"That's what we have worked hard to avoid ever since World War II," Kerry said. He acknowledged that Russia has interests in Crimea and "an enormous historical connection to Ukraine," but said he was "really struck and somewhat surprised and even disappointed" by Putin's case for annexing the territory.

"With all due respect, it just didn't (jibe) with reality or what's happening on the ground," Kerry said. "The President may have his version of history, but I believe that he and Russia, for what they have done, are on the wrong side of history."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the "so-called referendum" and the acceptance of Crimea to the Russian Federation "goes against international law," while French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and a French delegation have postponed a planned visit to Moscow because of the Ukrainian situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

And U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, dispatched to reassure NATO allies in Eastern Europe, said Russia faces "more than just sanctions" unless it abandons its "land grab" in Crimea.

"We're talking about Russia putting itself on a path that undermines long-term confidence and creates obstacles for its full participation in the global economy," Biden said after talks in Poland's capital, Warsaw. "That path that they've placed themselves on does nothing to help the next generation of Russians compete and succeed in a world that will be led by the most dynamic and open economies."

Condemnation abroad, cheers at home

But lawmakers in Moscow met Putin's address with regular and enthusiastic applause. The Russian leader accused the West of "double standards" and cynicism in its response to the Crimean crisis, citing Kosovo -- which split from Russia's historical ally Serbia over fierce objections from Belgrade -- as a precedent.

"It's absolutely in favor of their own interests -- black today, white tomorrow," he said.

Russia's Parliament is expected to vote on ratifying Crimea's accession to the Russian Federation by the end of the week. The speaker of Russia's upper house of Parliament, Valentina Matvineko, told state-run Russia-24 TV that the process of adding a new member to the Russian Federation "can be done rather promptly."

And hours after the annexation announcement, Putin appeared at a huge celebration on Red Square organized by his supporters -- a sign of his widespread popularity at home. An opinion poll by the Moscow-based Levada Center puts his approval rating at 72% -- the highest in more than three years, and the second-highest point of his presidency. The highest point came in 2008, during Russia's conflict with Georgia, another former Soviet republic.

"Putin in many senses, on many levels, crystallizes the Russian national consciousness," biographer Alexander Korobko told CNN. "For the past 100 years perhaps, we have never had a leader who would appeal to the Russian soul ... as much as Putin."

Most Russians and Crimeans feel Crimea "is coming back home," and a country that can produce "pretty much anything" has little fear of sanctions, he said.

"It is absolutely not in the U.S. interest to impose sanctions on Russia, because who will take American astronauts to space if not us Russians?" Korobko asked.